Press release -
Three Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ships to undergo multi-million-Pound refit this Winter
Three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ocean ships will be undergoing a multi-million-Pound refit this Winter, as part of an extensive enhancement programme – in preparation for the start of the 2020/21 cruise season.
The three ships – Braemar, Balmoral and Black Watch – will be undergoing various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during their dry docks at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, as well as the creation of several new public areas and cabin enhancements. Fred. Olsen has a long-established partnership with Blohm+Voss, spanning nearly 50 years and several generations.
Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“We are very proud of our smaller, classic cruise ships and we recognise the importance of investing in ongoing upgrades to ensure that our guests can continue to enjoy them at their very best.
“Our refreshed and renewed fleet has been very well-received by both new and existing guests following the last round of improvements at Blohm+Voss in 2017 and 2018, and we are keen to showcase the latest enhancements to our guests before Christmas...the ideal surroundings in which to enjoy the festive season!”
As well as extensive refurbishment of the accommodation on board both Braemar and Balmoral, a number of cabins on Black Watch will be receiving new bathroom upgrades.
Main Deck 6 on Balmoral will be seeing a number of enhancements. A brand new ‘Oriental Room' will be created in the forward area, where exotic teas and Far Eastern-themed cocktails and drinks will be served. A new ‘Photo Gallery’ will be added mid-ship portside, and a new ‘Flower Shop’ will be installed mid-ship starboard side, where guests can choose from a selection of stunning seasonal and year-round flowers to create a personalised bouquet, or select one of the expertly-crafted, ready-made arrangements.
929-guest Braemar entered Blohm+Voss today [14th November 2019], and will be embarking on a nine-night M1928 ‘French, Belgian & Spanish City Overnights’ cruise from Southampton, UK on 24th November 2019.
1,350-guest Balmoral will be entering the yard on 10th December 2019, and will depart on a two-night ‘French Escape’ mini-break from Southampton, UK on 20th December 2019, calling at picturesque Honfleur.
804-guest Black Watch will also enter dry dock on 11th December 2019, after which it will host a one-night W1928 ‘Christmas Party Night’ alongside in Southampton, UK on 21st December 2019.
The fourth ship in the Fred. Olsen ocean fleet, 880-guest Boudicca, will receive its own refit in Autumn 2020, having undergone a dramatic transformation at Blohm+Voss in Spring 2018.
In 2020/21, Fred. Olsen’s fleet of five smaller, more intimately-sized ocean and river ships – including river cruise vessel, Brabant – will be visiting no fewer than 277 destinations in 90 countries, across six continents, covering 104 areas of scenic cruising, on 170 different itineraries. Complementing the UK departure ports of Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh (Rosyth), Fred. Olsen will also be offering an expanded programme of exotic fly-cruises in 2020/21.
For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com
To find out more about Blohm+Voss, go to www.blohmvoss.com
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
